ATHENS & NAFPLIO, Greece – Taking her talents internationally, Menlo Women's Volleyball outside hitter Dayjah McFadden recently embraced a unique chance to explore the world and compete abroad in Greece.

Just months after her first season as an Oak, McFadden received an email from Head Coach Lesli Akeo with an opportunity of a lifetime. Presented through Beyond Sports, an organization specializing in international sports tours, student-athletes coming off impressive 2025 campaigns were being invited to Greece to compete and McFadden soon found herself among that elite company.

"I was really excited because I had never been to Greece before and playing volleyball there honestly felt amazing," McFadden said. "Every single day in Greece was a new adventure whether it was hiking to the Acropolis, doing a cooking class, or even just learning about Greek mythology. I met some new friends and got to try a lot of Greek food. It was an amazing opportunity that I am very grateful for."

Spending five days in Athens and three in Nafplio, McFadden enjoyed many opportunities to explore the land of the Greeks. When she wasn't spending time on the beach or touring landmarks, she could be found alongside fellow student-athletes competing against local school and club teams in a trio of matches.

"It's always fun to play with new teammates," McFadden said. "Competing in Greece allowed me to experience different playing styles, the culture and being able to adjust to my new teammates in a short amount of time. I really enjoyed every moment."

A memorable week of international competition and travel serves to propel McFadden into 2026. The San Diego native, who comes off a collegiate debut season in which she posted 10 or more kills in over half of her 25 matches, will look to build on the third-most kills among Pacific West Conference freshmen (230) as Menlo transitions into its first year as members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

"From this experience, I've taken away by using what I learned about adapting to different playing styles and being open to new teammates," McFadden said. "It helps me build better teamwork and communication, so I'll be more confident and effective when playing with new players. Plus, getting comfortable with meeting and working with new people can boost my overall mindset and performance on the court."